Newborn Care
At South Carolina Pediatric Alliance, we understand that the first days at home with a newborn can feel exciting and overwhelming all at once. To ensure your baby is off to a healthy start, we like to see your little one within the first week after discharge from the hospital. During this visit, we check your baby’s weight, feeding patterns, and overall adjustment to life at home. If you are breastfeeding, you can schedule an appointment with one of our experienced lactation consultants, who can offer guidance, reassurance, and hands-on support to help you and your baby thrive.
If all is progressing well during the initial visit, we will then follow a routine schedule of well-child checkups to monitor growth and development. These visits typically occur when your baby is 2 weeks to 1 month old, and then at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 1 year. Each appointment provides an opportunity to track milestones, answer questions, administer recommended vaccinations, and give you the confidence and resources you need as your child continues to grow. We are here to support your family every step of the way.
Some basic, practical tips for the new mom
Try to get in the habit early in your baby’s life of putting him/her down to sleep when they are drowsy but not fully asleep. This teaches your baby to soothe himself and fall asleep alone. Many babies will wake for feedings through the night up until 6 months of age. Some babies will have their days/nights mixed up. They seem to want to stay awake all night. If you wish to change this pattern, wake them more frequently during the day for feedings.
Babies Should Always Sleep
1) Alone (no co-sleeping and no blankets, pillows, etc in the crib with them)
2) On their back
3) On a firm, flat surface in a safe crib or bassinet.
Breastfed babies are fed on demand. Formula fed newborns usually take 2 to 4 ounces of formula every 2 to 4 hours around the clock. If your baby’s weight is okay at the first office visit, continue to wake your baby to feed at night until your pediatrician instructs you to do otherwise. You may gradually increase the amount of the feedings as your baby grows-let him/her be the guide.
Keep the umbilical cord clean and dry. After the cord falls off, usually around two weeks of age, you can give your baby a full bath. Prior to that, give sponge baths only.
Clean the area and apply Vaseline or another ointment (such as A&D or an antibiotic ointment) with each diaper change. It is normal for the site to appear red and to have small areas of yellowish discharge on the skin during healing. Once the circumcision site has fully healed, usually in 7–10 days, you can stop using ointment.
After healing is complete, your baby may have full baths. Until then, only sponge baths should be given.
The initial newborn stools will transition from the thick, dark meconium stool to soft, yellow, and seedy in the the first 3-4 days. After this, many newborns will have a bowel movement with almost every feeding. Thereafter, it may change to a brown or green color occasionally. Soon he or she may go several days without having a bowel movement. This is not a problem unless the stools are hard or there is significant discomfort. If this occurs, just call our office during regular hours for advice.
Jaundice is a yellow discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes. It is caused by an excess of the molecule, bilirubin, which is a by-product of the breakdown of red blood cells. If your baby looks yellow to you, please notify our office right away. This problem is not serious if it is treated appropriately.
A fever during the first two months is considered an emergency. You do not need to check the temperature unless the baby is acting sick or feels hot to you. We prefer you check the temperature rectally. Please call your pediatrician's office IMMEDIATELY if your baby’s temperature is 100.4 or higher during the first two months of life.
Most babies will start teething by 4 months of age. They will drool a lot, put everything is their mouths, and chew their (and your) fingers/fists. Usually the teeth don’t actually come in until 6 or 7 months of age. Simply provide safe teething toys or a cold washcloth to chew on.
Most diaper rashes are caused by skin irritation from contact with urine or feces. Frequent changing and cleaning will help prevent this problem. If the diaper area begins to look red/irritated, use a thick diaper rash ointment.
Thrush is a yeast infection of the mouth. This is also very common in young babies. It looks like white patches on the tongue or other inner surfaces of the mouth. If you think your baby has thrush, simply call our office during regular office hours, and we will discuss treatment with you.
It is normal for babies to be somewhat fussy at times. If your baby is not consolable for over 2 hours, please contact our office. Once any medical problems have been ruled out you may try multiple ways to soothe your fussy baby: car rides, swings, vibrating bouncy seats, a walk, a warm bath, a loud ticking clock by the crib, a warm (NOT HOT) water bottle on the tummy and swaddling.